Kohli, Cummins lead tributes as India great Ashwin retires from international cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket following India's third Test with Australia.

The off-spinner brings the curtain down on his 14-year India career, during which he won the 2011 World Cup.

Ashwin took 537 wickets - the seventh-highest in Test history - in 106 Tests with only Anil Kumble (619) registering more among India bowlers.

Meanwhile, his tally of 37 five-wicket hauls was only bettered by Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan.

"This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at international level," Ashwin said at a news conference at the Gabba.

"I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket."

Some greats of Indian cricket choosing their time to log off. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sMWP3On0sT

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 18, 2024

Ashwin, who also took 156 wickets in 116 one-day internationals, and 72 in 65 T20s, has considered retiring ahead of the Australia tour, but skipper Rohit Sharma persuaded him to carry on.

"He was very sure about what he wanted to do, and the team has complete backing of his thought process," Rohit said.

"He's had so many big moments with the Indian team, and he's been a big match-winner for us. He's allowed to make these decisions, and if it is now, so be it."

Ashwin's team-mate Virat Kohli and Australia captain Pat Cummins paid tribute to "one of the all-time greats".

"I've played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you're retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me," Kohli said.

"I've enjoyed every bit of the journey with you, Ash. Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none, and you will always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket."

"He's obviously been a fantastic player all around the world," Cummins added. "There aren't that many finger spinners that have that kind of longevity.

"There's a massive respect from our changing room for the career that he's had."